Justin Lahey and Paddy Ezekiel both wake up at 3 a.m. every weekday morning to make sure they can make it from Bell Island to St. John's so they can start work at 7 a.m.

With only one ferry - the MV Flanders - currently running for the last two weeks, it's the only choice they have.

As they waited in the ferry lineup in Portugal Cove early Wednesday evening, neither planned to attend the public meeting that night concerning the ferry service.

Expecting to be home by 7:30 p.m., they'd each have a bite to eat, maybe grab a shower, and then head straight to bed.

Lahey said he barely gets to see his children as a result.

Approximately 100 people were in attendance for the meeting at St. Augustine's Elementary School, which was organized by the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee.

It gave residents an opportunity to offer their own thoughts on what needs to be done to improve the service and to vent their frustrations.

Ken Kavanagh, born and raised on Bell Island, said asking the residents what should be done is shallow and amounts to a diversion tactic.

"Don't come crying to the community looking for solutions, when as far as I'm concerned, not you Dave," he said, referring to local MHA David Brazil, "but this government has ignored the solution."

Kavanagh said the province has "bungled" its strategy to replace ferries within its aging fleet.

Brazil said government is working to address the situation and said he could not speak to what happened before he became an MHA two years ago.

He said a request for proposals is set to be released today for two new boats to be built to serve the province.

He said the MV Grace Sparkes should also be back in service, following refits, within the next two weeks.

"The immediate needs are the things I have concerns about," said Brazil, "and that's what we're trying to address with what we're doing here tonight, and that's why we're open to engage people"

"For the last two years I've worked and fought for the people of this island, and we've looked towards moving the strategy forward, and we've gotten there. We've announced that two boats are about to be built. We've announced we've got three brokers out in the world market looking for new boats."

However, there remained concerns not enough is being done to address the short-term and long-term needs of residents.

Teresita McCarthy, a member of the users committee, also chairs the fixed-link committee on Bell Island.

She suggested a feasibility study is needed to consider an option other than more ferries.

"Surely, you can afford $50,000 to $75,000 to do a feasibility study," said McCarthy.

Brazil said he supports the feasibility study proposal, while Wabana Mayor Gary Gosine said he would rather see a new boat in place for Bell Island before consideration is given to building a road to connect the island to the rest of Newfoundland.

Tonya Kearley-Russell, a teacher on the island, said the ferry service's unreliability has turned residents against one another in some instances.

She recalled one such case where commuters said they would not allow schoolchildren to get on the ferry before themselves.

Stan MacDonald is willing to spend more than $100 on a hotel room if the ferry cannot get him back home to Bell Island for an evening, but he said that is not an option for every resident inconvenienced by issues with the ferry service.

Concerns were also expressed about what will happen if the MV Flanders breaks down given the province does not have a swing vessel at its disposal.

Max Harvey, assistant deputy minister for marine transportation services, said the province will look to reassign another vessel within its fleet if that happens.

He also referred to the Flanders as one of the province's most reliable vessels.

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kayla

January 07, 2014 - 09:53

I dont understand why some of you people in the comments are making really nasty remarks about Bell Island, we have just as much right to live here as you got to live where you are… and yes i do agree that the boats are getting worse but that doesn't give any of you guys to make nasty comments about it… i also agree that a fixed link would be a good solution to this problem.. just imagine how much money the government and the tax payers put into the boats and with all that money fixing the boats we could have a fixed link.. it just makes so much more sense, instead of people waiting 2-3 hours at portugal cove for the boat.. i have lived on Bell Island for 14 years and this is the worst the boats have ever been and they are getting very unreliable to the people of Bell Island…

If Bell Island does not have a viable ferry service, how does it create a viable business infrastructure? With one ferry running, tourists could possibly wait up to two to three hours to get across. What tourist in his or her right mind waits in a line for an unforeseeable time, only to cross and have to wait just as long to get back. Dick's fish and chips on Bell Island would be the only business profiting from such an endeavor. (We love Dick's... Bell Island wouldn't be the same with out it.)
There is a gorgeous bed and breakfast on Bell Island that is constantly up for sale because (I'm assuming) each new owner has high hopes but then does not have the capital to run such a large operation. Do all those guests they line up actually make the wait to cross via the ferry or do they cancel at the last minute because it's not worth the effort?
I live in St. John's but have had alot of family on Bell Island. I would go over more if not for the unreliability of the boats. And, heaven forbid if I show up any where near lunch or supper times.... nap time for the captains....and hundreds of people waiting to cross.
Bell Island is not failing because it's people aren't trying. Bell Island's economy is failing because the government won't let it prosper.

Most of us are tired of you people complaining about your ferry service. You supported the Gov. member not only in a by-election ( 80% ) but also in the Pro. election which followed. Why would anyone give you anything if you continue to support a Gov. who gives you nothing. Show some guts and at least let them know in the next election. You have nothing to lose since you are getting nothing now!!!

I have to accept consequences for any decision that I make. If you make the decision to live on an island serviced by a ferry you also have to accept the consequences that comes with it. Most of us have to move from our hometown and I don't think it is a god given right to stay there at everybody's expense.

Bob, I believe the term "many" and not "most should be used in your comment, unless of course you have proof of your statement. To close Bell Island down, means closing the door on a very strong heritage of strength, industry, and an important link that goes back well beyond your years I'd expect. Bell islanders once played a role in WW2, lost citizens in the fight because of the coal industry. That is just one aspect of Bell Islands history that should be kept alive in our hearts. There are many other reasons to keep the community alive. People these days have a way of believing that once something gets old, destroy it, regardless of impact on the few or the masses. Think of one thing dear to you, that you would never want to change or be made extinct, then think of how you would feel if the goverment decided to destroy it. That is what is happening to Bell Island... It is being destroyed. Not just by the goverment, but by the cries of want from it citizens who neglect to look at the real problem. It being that they are not doing enough to establish themselves and prove that they are a viable community.

wto

May 23, 2013 - 09:08

While not a solution, I believe a stop gap measure would be for the Prov. Government to put THEIR Ship the "Northern Ranger" on that service. She can't take the Auto traffic, but she could take 200 Passengers. Leave your Car in the Cove overnight and pick it up in the morning.

Jacqueline you are exactly right! If people on the island actually put the effort into "professionally" developing and marketing what they have, it would be a great destination! Things are always done in an adhoc manner and end up detracting from what the island can offer the tourism industry rather than attracting people. $50k-$75K for a feasibility study on a fixed link!??? Good God! Any first year civil engineering student at MUN could tell you for free that it would be cost prohibative (unless you have a few billion to waste). If it costs over a billion to put a short bridge across the Ottawa River you can rule out anything over the Tickle! Take $75K and put it into re-building the marina at Lance Cove. At least then you would have something to attract tourists to the island! The Residents are actually their own worst enemy.

Brazil said government is working to address the situation and said he could not speak to what happened before he became an MHA two years ago.
What a load of crap, Brazil before Bell Islanders being dump enough to elect you, you were the Chairman of the very same Ferry Users Committee for over 5 yrs. As Chairman you did nothing to address the issues that are now critical issues. The only Ferry issues that were deal with promptly were those that effect your Bell Island Senior and Junior hockey team. You refused to have Annual Meetings to elect new members, keeping yourself in power to control the committee while sucking up the the PC Party to ensure your nomination as a PC Candidate, of which is currently under investigation for wrong doing.

A feasibility study for what? Sure, let's pay some consultant $75,000.00 to go to Bell Island, interview some people, and regurgitate what they said. These studies provide nothing that hasn't already been considered. They're just temporary pacifiers which give the illusion that government cares about a solution. As for tourism, don't hold your breath waiting for that to make Bell Island sustainable. That's another government created myth.

Time to close it down. We have too many communities served by ferry. The populations are down and it is too expensive. Why do they think govt should spend millions of our tax dollars so they can live on an island. The CN ferry doesn't run all the time but we don't expect a bridge or tunnel. You live on an island. Live with the problems or move.

Your choice Resettle, to live in a more populated area, is admirable enough and respected. It is also the right of any Newfoundlander to continue to reside in a community that they love away from the row housing, traffic conjestion, and live in the peace that their forfathers grew up in. To resettle will in itself create a lot of problems. To you a simple solution for the issue before us would not affect the way you have choosen to live your life. Yes it was your choice, please allow others to have theirs as well. The hussle and bussle of todays big cities create an awful lot of problems and drain on the goverment system in itself. Do not forget that.

Carl

May 23, 2013 - 08:58

Are you talking about Bell Island or Newfoundland?

Resettle

May 23, 2013 - 10:42

I live in St. John's. I pay taxes for my services and the population is large enough to supply the services. My point is when does the population get low enough to resettle. If there was 50,000 people on BI and the ferry cost 2 million a year, then I understand keeping the ferry. If there are 50 people and the ferry costs 8 million a year, time to resettle. I would love to live in the woods with 20 friends I select but I doubt if govt would clear a road for me. If I do it myself, that's my choice. I would not expect tax dollars to pay for it.

Jacqueline Young

May 23, 2013 - 07:30

Max Harvey referred to the Flanders as one of the provinces most reliable vessels! Now don't that make a huge statement with regards the degregation of the provinces fleet.
A causeway is not the way to go at this point. Bell Islanders and other residences of small islands need to take first action and make their communities the place to be.
Bell Island with all it has to offer, overall shows little professionalism at times with regards to its tourism capabilities. The tourism office looks as though it could use a professional touch and should be located at the beach. The gas bar on the island has been guilty of not having enough fuel on hand to supply tourists. The water supply issues creates a negative impact. The town square should be rebuilt and become the hub of the island featuring the wonderful food, gift shops, patios and music that the island currently has spread out all over. Tourists cant easily find the entertainment that is located on the island.
Once these things are addressed, then I believe that Bell Island would become the place to be. A viable community not easily set aside by NF politicians.

Jacqueline you are exactly right! If people on the island actually put the effort into "professionally" developing and marketing what they have, it would be a great destination! Things are always done in an adhoc manner and end up detracting from what the island can offer the tourism industry rather than attracting people. $50k-$75K for a feasibility study on a fixed link!??? Good God! Any first year civil engineering student at MUN could tell you for free that it would be cost prohibative (unless you have a few billion to waste). If it costs over a billion to put a short bridge across the Ottawa River you can rule out anything over the Tickle! Take $75K and put it into re-building the marina at Lance Cove. At least then you would have something to attract tourists to the island! The Residents are actually their own worst enemy.

Ken Collis

May 23, 2013 - 07:21

Max Harvey says that if the current vessel breaks down then a ferry from another service will take it's place. That's the plan? Whaat about the other community that will be left without service? How will they travel? People who think that government won't do something so silly need to know that this was exactly what government did this winter with service to Rencontre East and South East Bight. As for a meeting for public to be able to make suggestions, trust me, they won't listen. Rencontre East has been without freight service since Feb. of this year. Transport Canada won't let the ferry use the crane because they aren't able to certify that it is safe and properly maintained. We suggested to government that freight service is a part of the contract and if the operator is unable to fulfill such an important aspect of the contract then the day rate should be reduced to reflect the service actually provided. We were told that they can't do such a thing. Imagine, government refusing a chance to save money. They would rather pay thier buddys.